Magyar News, 1992. szeptember-1993. augusztus (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1992-10-01 / 2. szám

They say let by-gones be by-gones, but the source of all the problems in that area stems from the injustice done to Hungary after World War One. Maybe it would be beneficial to look into the Trianon Treaty and see why The United States of America never ratified it.

l/ere is the copy of the letter sent to Secretary Baker.

As for civilian control of the SRI, limited progress has been made to place this agency under suitable civilian control and to abandon ties with the former Securitate. Indeed, we view the recent appointment to the SRI leadership of Ion Talpes — a former advisor to President Ion Iliescu with well-established ties to the Securitate — as a serious setback. Furthermore, the Romanian Government has yet to adequately distance itself from extremist, SRI-supported entities 3uch as the anti-Hungarian Vatra Romaneasca and anti-Semitic publications such as Romania Mare and Europa.

Finally, the protection of basic human and civil rights — especially where applicable to minorities — has been uneven at best. Three months ago, for example, the Mayor of the City of Cluj unilaterally cancelled a conference involving an ethnic Hungarian political party and issued an autocratic ban on bilingual signs. He has also led efforts to evict the Hungarian youth organization Madisz and the Hungarian journal Korunk from their offices.

At the national level, Romanian officials continue to limit television broadcasts in Hungarian, refuse to re-open the Hungarian Bolyai University in Cluj, and have introduced a draft Education Law which would eliminate Hungarian-language instruction in all medical, technical and business schools. And ethnic Hungarians and Gypsies who have been victims of anti-minority violence lack suitable legal protection and remedies, while many have been imprisoned on false charges.

Modern Romania has reached a turning point. Today its political leaders must decide, once and for all, whether they are truly ready to embrace democracy and its ideals. With a firm and principled hand, the United States can play a positive role in this historic moment — or we can sit on the sidelines. The process of restoring MFN status presents the United States with a unique opportunity to encourage true and lasting democratic reform in Romania. Let us not waste it.

We appreciate your prompt consideration of this matter, and we look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

A a

Connecticut Senators to help against all forms of ethnic discrimination. Senator Lieberman, in the closing lines of the letter sent to us, asked for further suggestions on how to help "our Hungarian friends in Romania."

the lack of political and cultural rights for Romania!s Hungarian minority."

Senator Lieberman also enclosed a copy of a letter to Secretary of Stale, James Baker. We Hungarians really appreciate all the concern and effort on behalf of our

Recently, before press time, / received a letter from Senator Lieberman. In this letter he expresses his concern about the Hungarian minorities in Europe, particularly in Romania. He says: "Despite Ceausescu s downfall, / continue to be frustrated about

United States Senate

WASHINGTON, DC 20510

The Honorable James A. Baker III July 24, 1992

Secretary of State Department of State 2201 C Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Baker:

As the Ü.S. and Romania continue to chart a course for closer political and economic relations, we are writing to let you know of our concerns about the issue of Most Favored Nation (MFN) status for that country.

We believe the eventual restoration of MFN rtatus to be an important step for Romania as it faces up to its serious economic challenges. Indeed, we look forward to the day when Romania casts off the last vestiges of its autocratic legacy and becomes a full-fledged member of the family of democratic nations.

Sadly, that day has not yet arrived.

As we understand it, the Administration has set down three markers for the restoration of Romania's MFN status: free and fair elections, an independent media, and civilian control of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI). We support these goals and would add a fourth: the protection of human rights and civil liberties, including the rights of minorities. Before supporting the restoration of MFN, we will look for significant progress in these areas.

In the area of elections, once-promising progress has recently been set back. We are deeply troubled by Xj\e recent decision to postpone elections until the fall, a further setback for this fundamental test of democracy. Furthermore, the election law now under consideration would eliminate or severely restrict domestic observers, contravening the spirit of the CSCE Copenhagen Document. And other serious problems remain, notably the existence of a county prefect system which gives broad power to centrally-appointed officials.

We will also look for improvement in the tolerance and protection of an independent media. Independent and opposition reporters continue to be subject to harassment and arbitrary denial of press privileges. The long-awaited establishment of an independent nationwide television station has not yet been achieved. And minority language television broadcasts -effectively halved under a February 3, 1991 order — have not been reinstated.

SENATORS ABOUT HUNGARIAN MINORITIES

CHRISTOPHER J. DODD United States Senator

JO^e/h I . LIEBERMAN United States Senator